A Series of Challenges

Sorry to disappoint those looking for an update with how things are going in China. To sum it up in one sentence, Things are great and God has taught me so much!

During my reading today I read chapters 4 and 5 of the Gospels and there were several verses that struck me very powerfully. God really challenged me with each of these verses and I want to encourage you to check yourself with these questions too.

Matt 5:23-24
 "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
Challenge: We need to settle our disputes immediately before we go onto other things.
My thoughts: I know this is something I really need to work on, when I just want to shove things under the rug, its still there but its simply hidden. At one point or another that dirt/strife must be dealt with

Matt 5:30 
If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
Challenge: What is something I need to remove from my life that keeps me from loving God fully?
                   What keeps me from drawing near to him?
My Thoughts: I know for me somethings that cripple me from running to him are: Pride, lack of discipline, and selfishness

Matt 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Challenge: Keywords I found were things I wanted to focus in on and ask myself and others if we are doing a good job of living these things out?
My Thoughts: I know these are things I fail at daily but through God's power I can accomplish. I am very much in process and by no means close to my destination.

Luke 5:16
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
Challenge: God in man's form often took time for himself to pray, how much more should we as followers of Him be intentional to have quiet time made to commune with him.
My thoughts: See above. I know God moves most tangibly and shows me more things when I cut out time for him.

John 4:34
My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
Challenge: What are some superficial means by which I use to fill myself?
My Thoughts:  The list for me personally is far too long to list.

John 5:30b
I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
Challenge: What is God's will and desire for the short vapor of time I am here on Earth?
My thoughts: I know this is something I have had to be patient with as I continue to seek out what he desires for my life specifically.

John 5:45-47
Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
Challenge: If we do not trust him with the small daily things of this life, how do we expect to cling to him when the seas of life are truly treacherous?
My thoughts: I have none. Just mulling over this verse and the challenge it presents.


John 4:23-24
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seek such to worship Him. God is Spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Challenge: What does that look like for us as Lovers of Christ?
My Thoughts: I don't know but I do know God wanted me to share this verse.

I hope this was encouraging to you and that it was not received as something arrogant. Please pass this on to whomever you think would be encouraged by it.

Thanks for reading!